I've been wanting to learn web development and recently started the full stack curriculum from a popular learning site. I've just finished the HTML section on responsive web design, but I feel like I might have wasted time on some obscure HTML elements that I probably won't use.
How much of HTML do I really need to know today?
I've seen recommendations for other courses too, like The Odin Project, Full Stack Open, and Scrimba. Are these better alternatives to what I'm doing? Also, I've come across long YouTube videos on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that total over 40 hours; do they actually help save time?
How do I know when I have learned enough to move on to the next topic? For example, I learned about the `` element for East Asian text, but I doubt I'll need that in practice.
What's the most efficient way to learn web development considering I have a decent grasp of languages like Python, C, and C++?
6 Answers
Sticking with freeCodeCamp is a solid choice! Those long videos can be tempting, but they often give you a false sense of understanding — you might just end up absorbing information without actually practicing coding. Keep your focus on building stuff to really get the hang of it!
Instead of drowning in those long YouTube videos, focus on the essentials. Learn the 10 most used HTML tags, and start building a simple webpage. Then do the same for CSS. You’ll pick up what you need much faster that way! Forget memorizing rare tags like ``; concentrate on practical HTML like divs, paragraphs, headings, links, images, lists, and form elements that you'll actually use for 90% of your projects.
I was in your shoes a few months back! I watched a quick series on HTML/CSS and within days, I was building my own personal website. HTML is learned best through use, so don’t stress about memorizing every detail—just understand the basics first, then dive into JavaScript as you grow your skills!
It's about understanding and recalling what you need, instead of memorizing everything. When developers hit a wall, they use resources to refresh their memory. Bookmark helpful sites and practice coding to reinforce your learning; that's how you build skills over time!
Continue with freeCodeCamp and don't be discouraged by some of the more complex topics like flexbox. While they're useful for polishing your UI, you can always look things up when needed. Knowing the possibilities and terminology will help you as you advance. Don't stress over memorizing everything—focus on learning how to find that information later on!
If you know Python, that's a great start for dealing with backend APIs. You can learn basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as you get comfortable with React. The main challenge is organizing your solutions effectively, not just memorizing code.
Totally agree! You don’t need to know every single tag when starting. Aim for the basics first, and then you can always expand your knowledge as you tackle new projects. Building real stuff is way more beneficial than just watching someone else do it.